CONSTANCE TURNER

Ninety years is a long time for any group to stay together, let alone stay relevant. But that’s exactly what the Chuck Wagon Gang has done since they first started singing on local radio back in 1935. Over nine decades, the group has built a legacy that includes performances at Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and the Grand Ole Opry, a level of recognition that few gospel acts ever reach.

Reaching a 90th anniversary is rare in any genre of music. In Southern Gospel, where so many groups have come and gone over the decades, it’s almost unheard of. The Chuck Wagon Gang’s longevity speaks to something deeper than nostalgia. It speaks to a sound and a message that has continued to resonate with listeners across generations.

Part of what has kept that sound alive in recent years is the addition of new voices to the lineup. In 2021, Josh Garner joined the group, bringing with him years of experience from his time with The Florida Boys and Dixie Melody Boys. Garner has always been drawn to groups with deep roots and lasting influence, the kind of acts whose music has stood the test of time.

That same appreciation for tradition is part of what made joining the Chuck Wagon Gang feel like such a natural fit, even though stepping into a mixed group wasn’t something Garner had ever planned for himself.

“One thing that I’ve always focused on is the history of gospel music and the groups that have lasted, that have stood the test of time. That they have a special place in my heart,” Garner said. “And I never dreamed I’d sing in a mixed group, never was on my list of things to do. But when this came open and they presented the opportunity, it just felt natural, like a hand in a glove.”

Since joining, Garner has brought a fresh energy to the group’s sound and stage presence, all while staying true to the classic style that has defined the Chuck Wagon Gang for nine decades. He described the adjustment as a welcome challenge.

“It’s been an interesting challenge because it’s a totally different way of singing, a totally different way of presenting a program,” he said. “But I’m having a ball. They let me have carte blanche to do and say what I want. We’re just, the gang’s having fun.”

That balance, of honouring 90 years of history while welcoming new voices like Garner’s, is part of what continues to set the Chuck Wagon Gang apart. The group isn’t simply marking time. They’re still creating music that carries the same spirit that made them a Southern Gospel staple in the first place.

To mark this milestone anniversary, the Chuck Wagon Gang has released a new single, “When All I Can Cry Is Holy,” from their album Made to Live Forever. The song explores themes of struggle and hope, offering a reflection on the promise of complete redemption, a message that has anchored the group’s music since the very beginning.

Ninety years in, with Garner’s fresh voice now part of the mix, the Chuck Wagon Gang shows no signs of slowing down.